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Lost and Heartbroken

Hi all. I am at a loss here. We have always had Cavvies and loved them all, but we had a special boy whom we lost a couple of months ago. My "Buddy" was 10 years old and he and I had a very special bond. I have loved with all my heart all our little Cavvies, but my "Buddy" and I were especially close. We've lost Cavvies before, but this time, I feel terribly confused about how I am feeling. I am continuously having "flashbacks" of him as a puppy, of all the things we did together, his last moments in life etc, etc. I am finding myself continuously breaking my heart , crying uncontrollably, and have an actual physical pain in my chest...am I going mad??? The little Cavvies we have lost over the years I have broken my heart over too, but this time, it feels so different. As crazy as this sounds, I feel as if a part of my soul is gone...I have a wonderful husband whom I love dearly, but I feel as 'tho I have lost the love of my life...only you guys on this site will understand...is something wrong with me???...I have never ever felt this way over any of my other wee dogs in the past...I've tried and tried the "acceptance" bit...how do I handle this, what do I do??? Also, does anyone know of a site etc. where you can get a replica stuffed toy, made up of your dog's photo? Thanks Guys, love to you all and your wee furbabies.

I wish I had specific advice and I don't, but I want to send huge hugs out to you. Losing a pet is like losing a family member, and is just indescribably hard. I lost a collie when I was a teen that I was really close to, and I would still cry about it many years later. Being able to bond with our babies is a huge part of the joy of having them, but also makes losing them so difficult. I am so sorry for your loss, and I hope the good memories you have and time will help soothe the hurt in your heart. I'm sure many many people here understand all too well what you are going through!

I think we all grieve differently and you need to give yourself a break,its alright you feel like you do. Obviously this was part of your heart and its only natural to miss him. Here is a link to information on bereavement support

I sincerely hope you check it out. Support of other people who are going thur what you are I have found is very helpful. Also speaking of asking for help, possibly talk to your own doctor about your mood....especially if you feel like the grieving process has been going on too long. To me, there shame in asking for help.......even if it means going on an anti-depressant or showing up for a support meeting.

Best wishes and please keep up posted

Melissa
"If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life."
-Roger Caras

I am so sorry for your loss. I agree too with the previous posters -- sometimes a bereavement does have a much greater impact for all sorts of reasons and if feelings are overwhelming and making it hard to think of much else, I would really encourage you to try some of the good contacts for bereavement support at the link posted previously. This is a good place to start, with people who can talk with you and really do understand what you are going through.

Myboy3
I'm very sorry for your loss. I lost my Rhodesian Ridgeback a few days ago and am experiencing almost all of your feelings. I've been reading the sites recommended by Karlin and find them helpful. I hope you are too.

There is a term for a very special dog called "heart dog" and it describes when you have a bond that is deeper than a normal dog-person relationship with a dog. When you loose a heart dog you will know, it is different than loosing any other pet. My first cavalier was my heart dog, I still cry about losing her. Your grief is stronger and may last longer when you lose your heart dog, but with any loss time will make it better. Just give yourself some time to cry and mourn. Your dog was very special to you and losing something special is always difficult.

Thank you all so VERY much. It is so comforting to know that we all understand how each other is feeling. I have had a look at the support sites, and I guess in time this will get easier, 'tho it sure doesn't feel like it at the moment. "Sunshinekisses"...thank you for your input...I'd never heard of that term before..."heart dog"...you hit it on the head, that is EXACTLY how I feel... my darling "Buddy" was...(IS and ALWAYS will be) my "heart dog". As I said, I've loved all our wee dogs, we have another 2 wee Cavvies at the moment, but here's me (who is such a softie and a real pushover), resenting when they are having fun and playing...I keep feeling they SHOULDN'T be...this scares me, because I used to cuddle them umpteen times a day...NOW...I feel myself distancing myself from the poor wee souls, I know I'm doing it and just hate myself for it...is this normal? Thank you so much Guys...hugs xxx

Two+ years ago I would've thought this was a ridiculous thread; then we got Bentley. We fell mad passionately in love with him, then 11 months later our daughter, my "heart-daughter," died after a 3 month battle with a vicious cancer that consumed her body. Now I can't imagine what we'd do if we lost Bentley. We're in our 70s so maybe he'll live as long as we do....

Oh, thank you so much for all your replies...so I'm not going "mad" at all !!! I feel SO guilty about distancing myself from our other wee Cavvies, but I guess (from what I've read here), that this is sometimes normal. I've gotten into the habit of looking at rescue sites and dog pounds in our area, to see if I can find my "Buddy"...I guess I am looking for him still, even 'tho I know in my heart he has gone to Rainbow Bridge...CSutherland...I am SO sorry about your wee heart dog with cancer, my "Buddy" had cancer too, but he fought until the very end, and apart from losing a bit of weight, he was still very active. My heart goes out to all of you on here, I feel as if we've all become "pals"...grieving together.